Master of the game: How resurgent Nitish Kumar will influence Modi 3.0 govt

Patna: Never rule Nitish Kumar out. The chief minister has proven time and again that he is a master of political survival and a shrewd strategist. Despite being virtually written off by many political pundits, Kumar has managed to bounce back and emerge as the second largest ally in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party.
With the induction of two JD(U) ministers in the Union cabinet – Rajya Sabha member Ram Nath Thakur and Munger MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh – Kumar has further consolidated his position as a key ally of the BJP. The move is being seen as a recognition of Kumar’s political stature and his importance in the NDA’s scheme of things.
Kumar is poised to play a crucial role in the Modi 3.0 govt. As the second largest ally of the NDA, Kumar’s JD(U) is expected to have a significant say in the decision-making process of the new govt.
With his vast experience in politics and his reputation as a skillful administrator, Kumar is likely to be a key figure in shaping the policies and priorities of the Modi 3.0 govt. His party's support will be essential for the BJP to secure a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha, and this gives him considerable leverage in negotiations with the BJP leadership.
Kumar’s political journey exemplifies his resilience, adaptability, and political acumen. He has successfully navigated the turbulent waters of Bihar politics and emerged as a leader who cannot be disregarded or dismissed. As he becomes a “kingmaker” at a crucial juncture of his political career, Kumar will undoubtedly strive to further solidify his legacy as a transformative leader who reshaped Bihar.
Kumar’s political journey has been a rollercoaster ride. He started his career as a socialist leader and was a close associate of the legendary Jayaprakash Narayan during the JP movement in the 1970s. He later joined the Janata Dal and served as the Union minister for railways and agriculture in the V P Singh govt.
In 2005, Kumar led the NDA to a historic victory and became the CM of Bihar for the first time. He was praised for bringing about a transformation in the state, which had long been afflicted by lawlessness, poverty, and underdevelopment. His govt’s emphasis on improving law and order, infrastructure, and social welfare programmes earned him widespread admiration and popularity.
However, Kumar’s political fortunes took a hit in 2013 when he broke away from the NDA over the issue of Narendra Modi’s prime ministerial candidature. He formed an alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, but the alliance was routed in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Kumar resigned as chief minister, taking moral responsibility for the defeat.
But Kumar was not one to give up easily. In 2015, he led the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) of the JD (U), RJD, and Congress to a stunning victory in the Bihar assembly elections, becoming chief minister once again. However, the alliance was short-lived, and Kumar broke away from the RJD in 2017 over corruption allegations against RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his family.
Kumar then formed a new govt with the support of the BJP, and the JD(U) became a part of the NDA once again. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the JD(U) won 16 out of the 17 seats it contested in Bihar, emerging as the second largest party in the NDA after the BJP. However, Kumar severed ties with BJP in August 2022 once again and formed Mahagathbandhan govt with RJD’s support.
In January this year, Kumar once again joined the NDA after breaking ties with the RJD and INDIA bloc at the national level.